The loss dropped the Sun three games behind Washington for the fourth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with five games to play. Connecticut opens a three-game homestand Friday at 7:30 p.m. against the Seattle Storm, which is a WNBA-best 25-4.

The Mystics (17-12), who never trailed in the game but led by just three at the half, scored the first eight points of the second half and outscored the Sun 33-16 in the third quarter.

"I don't think they played all that great until the third quarter, and then they had a great third quarter," Sun coach Mike Thibault said. "We weren't very good, as a general rule."

Rookie center Tina Charles had 15 points and 15 rebounds for her 19th double-double, tying the WNBA record set by Natalie Williams with Utah in 2000.

Renee Montgomery scored 17 points to lead the Sun (14-15), who had five players in double figures for the first time since July 27, also against the Mystics.